Tree testing
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Tree testing is a usability technique for evaluating the findability of topics in a website.[1] It is also known as reverse card sorting or card-based classification.[2]
A large website is typically organized into a hierarchy (a "tree") of topics and subtopics.[3][4] Tree testing provides a way to measure how well users can find items in this hierarchy.[5][6]
Unlike traditional usability testing, tree testing is not done on the website itself; instead, a simplified text version of the site structure is used.[1] This ensures that the structure is evaluated in isolation, nullifying the effects of navigational aids, visual design, and other factors.[7]
Basic method
[edit source]In a typical tree test:[8]
- The participant is given a "find it" task (e.g., "Look for men's belts under $25").[9]
- They are shown a text list of the top-level topics of the website.
- They choose a heading, and are then shown a list of subtopics.
- They continue choosing (moving down through the tree, backtracking if necessary) until they find a topic that satisfies the task (or until they give up).
- They do several tasks in this manner, starting each task back at the top of the tree.
- Once several participants have completed the test, the results are analyzed.
Analyzing the results
[edit source]The analysis typically tries to answer these questions:
- Could users successfully find particular items in the tree?
- Could they find those items directly, without having to backtrack?
- If they couldn't find items, where did they go astray?
- Could they choose between topics quickly, without having to think too much?
- Overall, which parts of the tree worked well, and which fell down?
Tools
[edit source]Tree testing was originally done on paper (typically using index cards), but can now also be conducted using specialized research software.[10]
References
[edit source]- 1 2 Hanington, Bruce; Martin, Bella (2019). Universal Methods of Design, Expanded and Revised. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers. p. 232. ISBN 9781631597497.
- ↑ Donna Spencer (April 2003). "Card-Based Classification Evaluation".
- ↑ Chesnut, Donald; Nichols, Kevin (2014). UX for dummies. West Sussex, England: Wiley. p. 141. ISBN 9781118852781.
- ↑ Palade, Vasile (2003). Knowledge-based Intelligent Information and Engineering Systems. Springer Nature. p. 250. ISBN 978-3-540-23318-3.
- ↑ Elleithy, Khaled; Sobh, Tarek (2006). Advances in Systems, Computing Sciences and Software Engineering : Proceedings of SCSS 2005. Dordrecht: Springer. p. 232. ISBN 9781402052620.
- ↑ Paraguacu, Fabio; Gouarderes, Guy; Cerri, Stefano A. (2002). Intelligent tutoring systems : 6th International Conference, ITS 2002, Biarritz, France and San Sebastián, Spain, June 2-7, 2002 : proceedings. Berlin; London: Springer. p. 743. ISBN 978-3-540-43750-5.
- ↑ DESAI, SANDEEP; SRIVASTAVA, ABHISHEK (2016). Software Testing. Phi Learning. p. 310. ISBN 9788120352261.
- ↑ Frick, Tim; Eyler-Werve, Kate (2014). Return on Engagement : Content Strategy and Web Design Techniques for Digital Marketing. Oxford: CRC Press. pp. 78–87. ISBN 9781135012939.
- ↑ Sharon, Tomer; Gadbaw, Benjamin (2016). Validating product ideas: through lean user research. Brooklyn, NY: Rosenfeld Media. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-4571-9077-3.
- ↑ Soares, Marcelo M.; Rosenzweig, Elizabeth; Marcus, Aaron (2022). Design, User Experience, and Usability: UX Research, Design, and Assessment. Ch: Springer International Publishing AG. p. 84. ISBN 9783031058967.